Cuba Update on COVID-19

There are currently 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cuba, including three Italians, one American, and several Cubans who traveled to Spain or Italy recently. Unfortunately, a 61 year old Italian national passed away today after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.
We recommend following Cuba's Ministry of Health, MINSAP, for official communications and updates on the COVID19 situation on the island.

Cuba has set up isolation centers across the country
- There are currently hundreds of people in isolation centers under observation.
- That number is fluid and changing constantly as new patients are admitted and confirmed negatives are released.
Cuba has the technology and professional capacity to administer tests and get results in a timely fashion, often in less than 24 hours. It’s not clear what capacity Cuba has to administer tests in terms of future volume and speed.
There are three labs in the country that tests are being sent to for analysis. Havana, Santa Clara and Santiago.
Cuba has drugs to treat patients, including the drug Interferon B, which has reportedly been used to treat patients in China for respiratory disease due to COVID-19.
In accordance with international guidelines, patients with suspected cases are generally put in observation for 72 hours prior to being tested unless symptoms are more drastic; in that case testing is fast-tracked.

Cuba has not closed its borders. The government has said a full or selective closure could be forthcoming, but it is not yet warranted.
Many airlines have canceled or reduced flights across the region.
Cuba Educational Travel and many other providers have suspended all travel to Cuba, and started weeks ago to postpone trips and work with travelers to get them out of the country.
There have been multiple global travel warnings advising against travel in general, for health- and logistics-related challenges.

The United States Embassy in Havana, along with US embassies around the world, has further reduced its staff.
The Cuban Embassy in Washington has suspended all in-person consular services.
Travelers and citizens in both countries should expect both embassies to be overwhelmed with COVID-19 related cases and have a limited ability to assist.

The Cuban government has set up an intense operation of identifying, isolating and treating COVID-19.
- The government is providing constant updates on the COVID-19 situation on the island and measures taken.
All large cultural and sports events have been postponed.
There is a national campaign to promote good hygiene, however, schools and workplaces are still open and there is not currently an active campaign on social distancing.
The private sector has started to take measures, with a number of restaurants and tourism related services closing and advising employees and customers to stay home.
Cuban cultural establishments like La Guarida, Tunturuntu, Fabrica de Arte Cubano, and Havana businesses like Citykleta and Grados have been leaders in public messaging, encouraging visitors to stay home and voluntarily closing their doors.
The Cuban signer Ariel de Cuba has garnered notoriety for his new song Quédate En Casa, which is raising awareness and morale in the Spanish-speaking world.
Many Cuban artists and influencers are joining the #YoMeQuedoEnCasa (I'm Staying Home) movement and encouraging their fans and followers to stay home.

- The CET Team